Mississippi governor issues emergency order following storms

Mississippi Gov. Tate Reeves declared a state of emergency Tuesday in five north Mississippi counties, where severe storms killed one person and damaged hundreds of homes over the weekend.

On Friday evening into early Saturday morning, storms that dropped possibly dozens of tornadoes killed multiple people in small towns and big cities across the South and Midwest. High winds pummeled Mississippi just one week after ferocious twisters killed 21 people and devastated the towns of Rolling Fork, Silver City and Amory.

The storms struck Friday evening just hours after President Joe Biden had visited Rolling Fork, where he pledged support from the federal government.

Pontotoc County Coroner Kim Bedford said James Dean, 55, was killed after his family’s mobile home was destroyed by a tornado early Saturday morning, Pontontoc Progress reported.

“I’ve declared a State of Emergency for Pontotoc, DeSoto, Tishomingo, Lee, and Tunica Counties in addition to other areas affected by the severe weather that hit our state this weekend,” Reeves wrote on social media. “Mississippi stands ready to support recovery efforts in every way possible!"

Current assessments show that 182 homes, eight businesses and six farms were damaged during the latest storms, according to Reeves. The governor said state and federal aid would be made available to counties to help pay for rebuilding efforts.

This article originally appeared on Mississippi Clarion Ledger: Mississippi Gov. Tate Reeves issues emergency order following storms